The decision to remove Officer Tom Winsell from his position as a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Saint Peter Public Schools is long overdue. Not only is Mr. Winsell harmful to students, but there is no data that proves that SROs make schools safer. In fact, there is insurmountable data that demonstrates otherwise.

Many students do not feel safer with him there. This includes white students and students of color. He is ineffective at building relationships with a diverse student body. He has made racist and sexist remarks and politicizes his position.

Saint Peter is an increasingly diverse community. There is no place in a school district for any person, especially an authority figure, who represents, endorses, and makes comments for the purpose of intimidation, promoting sexism, racism, and xenophobia.

St. Peter Schools is an antiracist district. It must be a community of schools that welcomes and protects every student, regardless of race, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or creed. The decision to remove Mr. Winsell is the right decision. It is the just decision.